Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Code 27, 12350 Research Parkway, Orlando, Fl 32826-3224

69 -- LIGHTWEIGHT PERSONNEL DETECTION DEVICE (PDD) POC Contract Specialist, Joyce E. Howse, (407) 380-8347; PCO, Barbara Y. Ladd, (407) 380-4099 E-MAIL: click her to contact the Contract Specialist via e-mail., Joyce_Howse@STRICOM.army.mil. The US Army Program Manager for Training Devices (PM TRADE) is interested in industry's response to a new program to instrument dismounted soldiers at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana and other combat training centers (CTC), homestation training locations, and test ranges. These centers and ranges are the Army's resources for collective training feedback and test data collection. The objective is to collect data regarding the participant's position and status during training and testing exercises for analysis and after action review (AAR) purposes. Participants in those exercises are subjected to simulated direct and indirect weapons effects. The Army currently has fielded a number of instrumented personnel detection devices (IPDD) that are now in use at the CTCs. The IPDD consists of a load-bearing vest with attachments incorporating a direct and indirect fire tactical engagement system, a data communication interface unit (DCIU), a battery, a display unit, laser sensors, andantennas for GPS and data communication. The DCIU reports the location, status, and results of engagements on the battlefield using CTC and test range specific RF communications. The current IPDD consumes significant battery power such that it does not meet operational requirements. The Army is interested in industry's response for a new IPDD version that is lighter, less bulky and more power conservative than current designs. The goal is a physically smaller IPDD more conducive to the battlefield environment. The IPDD should weigh six (6) pounds or less (goal is 2-4 pounds), which will require a lighter battery which would meet a minimum of 72 continuous operating hours (goal is 100 hours) without requiring replacement or recharging. The new IPDD will also have an open architecture for future technology insertion. PM TRADE is interested in demonstrating and testing different technological solutions at the JRTC and other locations in December 1998. As a follow-on to this effort, PM TRADE plans to competitively select one or two IPDD designs for continued development and demonstration at an Joint Contingency Force Advanced Warfighting Experiment (AWE) in September 2000 or sooner. It is desired that the transceiver design for the IPDDs in this phase and follow-on phases comply with the Family of Interoperable Transceivers (FIT) Joint Standard dated August 1998. Following the AWE, PM TRADE intends to select one competitor to continue development and production. This contractor will be selected based on the technical merit of the IPDD design and a cost proposal for the development and production elements of the contract. The number of IPDDs to be replaced is estimated to be between 6000-24,000. First fielding of the production systems is planned for fiscal year 2004. The Army is interested in all joint ventures that may be formed to satisfy this requirement. Because of significant investment in the communications architectures at the CTCs, the Army is specifically interested in technical approaches requiring minimum impact on those communication architectures, but will consider alternate designs. Since the clientele of this type product includes foreign countries, there may be a larger worldwide market for this solution. PM TRADE will host an Industry Day to discuss the LPDD program requirements, the details of the JRTC demonstration, and the FIT standard. The meeting is scheduled for 17 August 1998, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, in room 2040, De Florez Building, U.S. Army STRICOM, Orlando, FL. This announcement does not constitute a request for proposal, but is solely for the purpose of surveying the market for qualified sources interested in demonstrating their current IPDD design(s) at the JRTC. Such demonstrations will be at no cost to the U.S. Government. Interested parties are requested to contact the Government POC and to submit a white paper describing their technical approach and intent to demonstrate not later than 6 November 1998. No formal solicitation is available at this time. Posted 07/27/98 (W-SN228855). (0208)

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